Below The Radar

Sup fuckers! Naw just kidding...maybe I dunno how to feel. Gosh I need a smaller keyboard this thing is ridiculously long. Oh well, I'm just stalling here so I have some additional text, but sadly I have nothing.

Chapter 14 - New Beginnings

~•~ Recap ~•~

Marty breaks down, and admits to Jonah that he doesn't want their relationship if they have to continue hiding it any longer. Jonah's response is that they will no longer be hiding their love. As Lucas he comes out to his parents with the help of Cyrus, unfortunately his mother did not take it too well, and she left the room without a word.

~•~

TJ Kippen came prepared to school that Monday morning. He set his alarm to wake up extra early to ensure that he'd have some time to review his ASL. He had done just that along with one additional little surprise that we not sure if he was going to go through with yet or not. After doing some thinking on his commute to the school he decided that it was probably best that he does do that one little extra thing.

If he were to just go straight up to her and introduce himself immediately asking her out on a date, she would probably decline. That is why TJ had a plan to let her know that he into her before he asks that question that way she'll feel better about it. Then again asking her out on a date is practically saying that he likes her. This way was just breaking it down into two parts. The I like you, part and the wanna go out on a date with me, part.

The Basketball Team Captain held his heart in his hand as he strolled closer to the school. Much to his disappointment Libby was not under the willow tree like she was the last morning that they had school. It started to occur to TJ that she meant not have even came to school today. People do get sick, or fail at getting a way to arrive. If that was the case he would just have one more day of time to prepare himself. On the downside that was also another 24 hours worth of time that some other guy could make his move on her before he even had the chance to. Or maybe even a girl would get to her first. He just never knows, Cyrus didn't mention anything about that, so he hoped that she was into only guys to better his chances.

Breathing in the cool air TJ calmed himself as he stood in the grass. He fished his phone out of his pocket to check the time. Turns out that he had arrived a bit earlier than usual so maybe Libby had not arrived yet. Which that actually gave TJ an idea as he stood there smiling at himself. The notorious willow tree became the only thing in his sight as he slowly approached it hoping that waiting in her spot won't be too intrusive.

TJ spread his legs as he leaned back against the tree letting his head rest. While relaxing his mind went to the thought of Libby coming up to him to smile and wave before sitting down right next to him. His daydream only went on as he imagined her hand resting down on Mother Earth just asking for him to scoop it up and hold. The wonderful thoughts ended abruptly when he heard, "Hey Teej, what are you doing over here all by your lonesome?"

"Yeah hey Cy, nice of you to disturb me. I'm actually waiting for Libby, so can you just go before she gets here?" TJ asked.

"Why, it's not like I'm intruding on you and your girlfriend?" Cyrus asked mockingly.

"Really dude?" TJ asked rolling his eyes in utter disbelief.

"Fine fine, I'll go, but not because you want me to, but because I have other things to do with my time." With that said Cyrus turned right back around and left TJ in peace. Meanwhile TJ just wanted to shout at him, "she's not my girlfriend, yet!"

With the minutes going by, TJ soon began to worry that Libby would not be coming. Or maybe she already is here, just that she is inside instead of outside. But if he goes inside to search for her she might get here and go the tree where he is supposed to be waiting as a surprise. It was killing him with all the different possibilities that could happen.

Wait no longer, Libby held her decorative school bag at her side as she cocked her head to the side wondering why someone was sitting at her tree. Guess it isn't her tree per se, but it was close enough because no one else seems to love it as much as her. Just being able to sit under its shade looking up at the low hanging branches arching over as they swayed in rhythm and in sync with each other. It really is the most beautiful type of tree that she has ever seen. Sure Cherry Blossoms are a soft shade of pink for their leaves, but color was not everything.

Before Libby could get all the way to the tree TJ stood up, and dusted himself off as he quickly decided it would be better to do introductions while standing. Trying his best to act natural TJ gave a slow inviting wave that she returned. "Hello, I am TJ," TJ signed to causing her to give him a look of shock. Not many people knew any sign language at the school, and it was nice to find someone who actually did.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Libby," she responded back in sign with a smile feeling like she fit in for once. TJ was having trouble keeping his mouth shut as he signed the words that he rehearsed by saying out loud with the actions to better get it in his head. "What are you doing here?" she asked which TJ only partly understood bits, and pieces.

TJ gave her a look a confusion before signing, "sorry I only know very little." And with that she plucked out her phone to type out a message on her notes that she presented to TJ. After reading that TJ held out his hand as if asking for her phone to reply. Reluctantly she handed it over, and TJ begant to type on it. When he got done he handed it back to her so she'd finally know why he was here.

When she looked back up at TJ, he signed, "I think you're really pretty." This made Libby jump as he put both of her hands up to her mouth hiding it. After realizing how much excitement she was showing she put her hands back down.

"Thank you," she signed back, and luckily that was one of the common phrases that TJ understood. He wasn't quite sure on how to sign it, but when he saw her do it, he knew what it meant.

Continuing to talk with their hands TJ prepared himself as he stood tell getting ready for his biggest sentence in sign language that he knew. If the answer isn't a yes or no, he would be lost on her response, but he'll just have to see how it goes. "Will you go out on a date with me?"

What she signed in response TJ only recognized to parts from it, boyfriend and girlfriend. Based on her facial expression TJ assumed that she asked a question about if that'd make them boyfriend and girlfriend. TJ held up a finger telling her one minute as he got his phone out for her. In his message he explained that they would just go out on a date as friends and overtime if things go well they could end up dating.

Libby knew from her past experience that diving right in with Jonah as a bad idea, but TJ's proposal looked much more pleasing. Due to that her answer was yes. Shortly after they exchanged phone numbers, and TJ texted her saying that he's going to learn more ASL every day.

During lunch Jonah got through the lunchline quickly so he could get in a few words with Andi before Marty arrived at the table. "Hey Andi, I know I should have told you this earlier, but Marty and I have decided that we are no longer going to pretend to date you, and you know who."

"Um, okay, that was kinda fast and all at once," Andi stated folding her arms across her chest. "Did Cyrus give you guys some stirring speech about no one will care who you're dating?"

"Yeah," Jonah admitted softly chuckling. "I think this was a bad idea that we even done this in the first place. We let our own fears get in the way of what we really wanted."

"Wow Jonah, I guess we really did."

"So are you and Amber going to do the same?" Jonah asked curiously.

"Phft I wish," Andi stated. "Maybe in the future, but for know her parents can't know and she is super scared about it."

"Sorry to hear that, hope my family won't be anything like that," Jonah told her as the last bit of their private conversation before more people arrived at the lunch table with them.

A little while later Andi blurted out, "look at you two, sitting all close together."

Jonah immediately checked his distance from Marty and asked, "are we really that close," with worry plastered on his face.

"You're fine," Cyrus told him. "You two are sitting just as close as anyone else is at this table." Cyrus only told Jonah that so he wouldn't freak out. It was baffling how he was so certain that he'd be the one afraid of coming out, not Jonah who always appeared to brave.

"Yo I'm honestly excited for people's reactions," Marty announced to them all at the table. "Of course I was scared at first, but now I know that if anything bad does happen, you all will have my back."

"You're absolutely right," Buffy told him. "I got two little friends that any jerks can meet," she added holding up both of her fists looking at the one, and then the other.

"Whoa there, you're not actually going to fight someone are you?" Cyrus asked.

"I might," Buffy stated. "No one messes with my friends."

"Kay then, but please don't do anything that'll get you in trouble," Marty told her.

"I got in trouble for having my hair how it is now," Buffy responded. "I'll be fine no matter what happens. Now if anyone gives you any trouble, just let me know. Big or small, so I can keep an eye on them."

Marty had been unsure at first of how Buffy felt about him dating Jonah, but now he knew that she was fine with it. Not only that, but she was being super supportive of it, to the extent that it's not even natural support that you give your friends. Buffy was a saint, and the conversation that they had not only calmed Jonah, but scared him. Like what if something bad does happen where she has to step in, or get involved?

During one of the passing period Jonah passed by Marty and pulled him aside to the wall. "You haven't been telling people about us, have you?"

"No, I'm letting them figure that out on their own," Marty told him around the same time a guy in an older grade was around and heard them.

He blurted out to them, "figure what out? That you two dweebs are secret lovers." After he finished with his words he began to laugh seeing Jonah's hurt face. "Oh wait, was I actually fucking right? That's hilarious. You two dudes are gay for eachother." He began to laugh again while Jonah felt his stomach in his throat like a knot that was restricting him of getting sufficient air in. The guy stayed no longer, and carried on down the hallway not caring if either one gave a verbal response.

"Jonah are you okay?" Marty asked the now sweating male.

"Ye-ah, I-I'm fine," he forced out before quickly stepping away to rush off to the bathroom in hurry. He said that he was fine so Marty left it at that, and went to his next class. He'd just have to catch up with Jonah later, and see how he's really feeling. It seemed great at first with the idea of not hiding their relationship, but now he felt guilty for it. Maybe Jonah just wasn't ready to come out like he was, and he pressured him to do it without even realizing that he was applying the pressure.

Cyrus was doing his business in the restroom when he heard the unmistakable sound of a teary eyed friend not being able to catch their own breath as their body trembled. After flushing Cyrus finished up leaving the urinal to see Jonah standing at the sink resting his hands on the side, while staring down at the sinkhole with his eyes closed taking steady breathes. "Oh no," Cyrus started off quietly not wanting to startle Jonah in his vulnerable state. "What happened?"

Jonah opened his eyes to face Cyrus who started washing his hands in the sink next to him. Before trying to speak he inhaled through both his nose, and his mouth at the same time which was something he did not know as possible till just now. "A guy, just found out about me."

"Jonah practically everyone in the school knows about me. You'll be okay I promise. Who was it?"

"I don't know," Jonah said sucking up snot from his now running nose as an side effect of his heated face. "Just some older dude in a different grade."

"Kay, but that's just one person. That is to be expected, but nearly everyone that goes here is accepting. Alright I gotta get to class, but don't that one person get you down. You're great and there is nothing wrong with being who you are."

End Of Chapter 14

Whoo, go Cyrus the therapist! Anyways I wanna know who was the better, more supportive friend in this chapter. Buffy or Cyrus? I know pretty hard, as much as I love Cyrus, I'd have to say Buffy, but overall in the story my vote goes to Cyrus. Now some of you other son of a bitches, needa leave a review so I have something to look forward to in my day…

~Banana